I currently own a B2. I am wondering what the difference is between that, a SVT2 and 3,4,5,6.
It appears more than just power. I am dumping my Ashdown Mag 300, I'm going to use that money for A Bass POd Xt live, or whatever they call it. I just ordered the three sliders that are broken so it will be back to original. I know Jeff Rath uses a B2 and a Bass pod, so I will look for his input. GC in Sherman Oaks has a bunch of Ampeg amps and cabs, so I'm thinking I could get the closest to tube sound without the weight by getting the best SS Ampeg for that "sound". I don't need anymore than 300 watts as I never get those amps above 5. Thanks.....
Ampeg amp diferences
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
If you want ampeg tube tone but without a ton of weight, take a look at the SVT-3 Pro head. It's got a tube preamp. I'm not a big "tube tone" guy, so I sold it and got a B5R, which is all solid state (the B5R also supports 2ohm loads, which is something else I wanted).
If at all possible don't buy Ampeg gear new. By and large Ampeg products are built like tanks and you can save a lot of money going used. For example, the SVT 3 Pro sells for about $900, but I bought a used one for $500.
If at all possible don't buy Ampeg gear new. By and large Ampeg products are built like tanks and you can save a lot of money going used. For example, the SVT 3 Pro sells for about $900, but I bought a used one for $500.
Charly,
I'm using a B2RE. It's got a fantastic sound that compliments my V63 very well!
Mine is the newer model that has 450 watts. I'm running it through Ampeg 2X10 and 1X15 cabinets, and an older Pod for some tone shaping and compression.
I'm sure I'd want a tube amp if I was recording, but for gigging, this rig is working great!
I'm using a B2RE. It's got a fantastic sound that compliments my V63 very well!
Mine is the newer model that has 450 watts. I'm running it through Ampeg 2X10 and 1X15 cabinets, and an older Pod for some tone shaping and compression.
I'm sure I'd want a tube amp if I was recording, but for gigging, this rig is working great!
There Is What You Can See. There Aren’t What You Don’t See. And That’s All There Is That You Get!
From a tube/SS standpoint . . . The SVT 2 (Pro) is an all tube amp, pre and power section. The others; 3,4,5,6 and 8 are variants of the tube pre section with a solid state power section.
The 8 is a new model with an SVP-CL type pre with a SS high power amp. There is a new SVT, SVT-VR which is a SVP-CL type pre with a 300W tube power section making much like a 70s SVT blueline.
The 8 is a new model with an SVP-CL type pre with a SS high power amp. There is a new SVT, SVT-VR which is a SVP-CL type pre with a 300W tube power section making much like a 70s SVT blueline.
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jwr2
I have a B2 and a b2r and a b3 ... the b2r is the best bass head I have ever owned ... most of what ampeg makes is top notch ... the b3 is not a great amp ... but then again they quit making those ... the svt line is good ... for me I use solid state I don't mess with tubes anymore ... Ampeg has a nice warm ballsy tone ...
I may just stick with the B2. I'm getting a Bass pod Xt Live this week. I had a tube preamp in my Eden Traveller. I hated the sound of that amp with a Rick. When I owned my Pedulla, the Eden was a perfect match! So, all that to say, maybe I didn't like the tube preamp with a Rick? I mean, there are only so many ways to design an audio amplifier! And with all of Jeff's ranting(I'm just teasing), I took back the Ashdown head and the compressor/sustain pedal and swapped straight across for the Pod. The bill came to 388 and the Xt live is 399 so, close enough! The only drag is, they had to order it. The good news, I live 10 miles from Line 6 and work 4 miles from West LA Music, so I should get it in a day or two.
Charlie, you're not going to get tube tone out of a hybrid amp or at least you're not going to get the give and take of a real tube amp, tube guys will know what I'm talking about. If you want an SVT get a real one. Some of the sound is from the power tubes, in fact you work with those, they are as much a part of my sound as is my bass, the 8 x 10 cabs also contribute a part of that famous sound like it or hate it, although they sound good through any good cab that can take the brutal power. In short you want the sound you gotta lift, the rest are all compromises, I'm not saying they sound bad just that they just don't sound like an SVT and especially they don't play like a tube amp. There was only one SVT made, from 1969-1979 and I think also the MTI heads from Japan made from 1980-1985. The rest all have some kind of prefix after their names, even my 87 reissue is an SVT-HD although it's virtually identical to the old ones especially after I changed some tubes in it. They are almost indestructable as someone else said, I dropped one off the top of a 4' high cab once onto a concrete sidewalk and it never even blinked, just dented a corner.
If you have to get a new one get a classic, they sound good.
If you have to get a new one get a classic, they sound good.
